Holger Neumann, Lieutenant General and Commander of the German Air Force, has voiced the Alliance's tough stance in the event of an escalation. According to him, NATO is prepared to attack specific targets on Russian territory if Moscow shows aggression against any member of the bloc.
As reported by RBC-Ukraine citing The Telegraph, Neumann emphasized: "If someone calls me now and says we have this situation here, we must be ready now — and we are ready." He added that Germany would deploy all available resources — both its own and those of NATO allies — to protect the country, its values, population, and the unity of the Alliance.
A united front: from Estonia to London
Lieutenant General Neumann categorically rejected the idea of "zones of varying security" within NATO. According to him, an attack on Estonia would trigger a response of the same magnitude as a strike on London. "It must be clear that there are no zones of varying security, that NATO is NATO, to the last centimeter," he stated.
Particular attention in this context is paid to the Baltic states and the Far North, where there has recently been a rise in provocations by Russia — including drone attacks and other actions bordering on military incidents.
32 air forces against one
Neumann reminded that in the event of an armed conflict, Russia would face the air forces of all 32 NATO member countries at once. This is not just rhetoric — it refers to a real military machine capable of delivering a crushing retaliatory strike against any objects on Russian territory deemed a threat.
Earlier, NATO General Alexus Grinkevich, in a comment to the Financial Times, stated that Russia realizes the inevitability of defeat in the event of a direct confrontation with the Alliance. This is why, in his opinion, the Kremlin does not dare to aggress against the Baltic states.
Exercises near the Suwałki Corridor: a stress test
Meanwhile, Lithuania, Poland, and France are holding joint exercises from June 16 to 26 near the Suwałki Corridor — a strategic isthmus between Belarus and Kaliningrad. The maneuvers are dedicated to practicing the rapid defense of this key section, which could become a flashpoint in the event of an escalation.
These actions demonstrate that NATO is not only talking about readiness for defense but is also actively training to fulfill its commitments. In conditions of growing tension on the Alliance's borders, such exercises become not just a show of force, but a necessary element of deterrence.
The question remains open: how far is Russia willing to go, and how determined is NATO to respond? For now, General Neumann's answer is unequivocal — to the last centimeter.